A Greenock thoroughfare is set to be transformed as part of a major project to redevelop the town centre.

Work gets underway on Monday 9th August on West Blackhall Street to give shop fronts, pavements and road surfaces a new lease of life.

Regeneration Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “This is a key part of our regeneration programme for Greenock town centre. West Blackhall Street is one of the first streets thousands of cruise ship passengers see when they arrive in Greenock and we want to make it as accessible and attractive as possible. We are proud of our town and want visitors to enjoy their experience so much they come back for more.”

Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and their partners successfully applied for £1.32 million from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund. The total scheme which is underway for Greenock Town Centre is £1,985,000 with additional match funding being provided by Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council.


Plans have already been approved to refurbish existing shop fronts on Cathcart Street and work is already underway to create an event space and to upgrade the quality of the landscaping on either side of the junction of Cathcart Street with Rue End Street.

In West Blackhall Street paving slabs will be re-laid, tarmac repaired, chewing gum removed and railings re-painted. Work will also be carried out to improve shop fronts; clean stone work and remove vegetation from gutters.

Councillor Clocherty added: “Developing the town centre will make it a more positive place and a quality environment for business and the local community. There will be some disruption for a number of weeks along West Blackhall Street while the work is carried out but I am sure it will be well worth it once people see what has been achieved.”

Bill Nicol, CEO of Riverside Inverclyde said: “ I am delighted that £1.985M of environmental improvement works are well underway in Greenock Town Centre using funding from the Scottish Government, Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde. The successful TCRF funding bid was well received by local businesses and the wider community. It’s great that the various projects are now starting to appear on site. It is another good example of close and collaborative working between local and national agencies.”

(GK)